Chamber begins search for new President
Community, News September 1, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – In August, the President and CEO of the Gilmer County Chamber, Paige Hutto, announced her resignation to be with family and her husband in Alabama.
Paige Hutto, President/CEO of the Gilmer Chamber
Today, the Chamber has announced they are beginning their search for their new President alongside the Chason Group, a “search firm” based in Georgia. This group has been used by other groups in both Gilmer and neighboring counties searching for officials like Presidents, Managers, and other positions in need of certain qualifications as their website says the perform searches for “Executive Talent.”
They are also currently working with Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, Murray County Industrial Development Authority, and Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce in searches. According to a release from the Chamber, this is the same group that identified Hutto as a candidate when she took the position of President/CEO, and also Alan May before her.
Chair of the Board of Directors for the Gilmer Chamber, Chris Wang
According to their statement, the current Chair of the Board of Directors, Chris Wang said, “Our board is taking a very organized and strategic approach to the executive search process for a new president. We want to make sure we identify the most qualified professionals who have the skill sets required to move the chamber and community forward in terms of tourism and business growth. We are open to traditional and nontraditional candidates as long as they have the skills sets required of the position. A lot has changed since Paige came on board and we want to make sure we get it right again, just as the previous search committee did.”
The process is set to take between 100-120 days according to the Chason Group who says phase 1 has already been completed as they have met with stakeholders and interviewed members to see the type of person and the skills that they want to find in their new president. Today, they announced the opening and are accepting resumes until September 18, 2020.
After that, selected candidates will be interviewed and narrowed until the Chamber finally reaches its decision on the candidate to fill the position. With the process completed, all indications point that the Chamber should have its new leader before Christmas.
Gilmer will cancel the 2020 Apple Festival
Community, News August 6, 2020
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – An email has gone out today with an official statement from the Georgia Apple Festival Board of Directors cancelling the October event for this year, 2020.
Confirming that they will allow vendor fees to rollover to next year’s event or offer refunds upon request, the Festival will be skipped in light of CDC Guidelines and rising numbers in Coronavirus cases. Though they do say they had considered holding the event under those guidelines, the extra costs and restrictions would be too much.
Read the Board of Directors’ full statement as follows:
It is with a heavy heart that the Georgia Apple Festival board of directors announces that the 49th annual Georgia Apple Festival Arts & Crafts show has been cancelled for October 2020. The difficult decision was made following the guidance of the local healthcare community, after consultation with local officials, and with extensive feedback from vendors, volunteers, and local citizens.
The health and well being of all concerned including our volunteers, vendors, and guests was paramount in the decision process. The board also weighed the additional costs and undertaking of trying to produce the event under the current CDC guidelines. It is our belief that the integrity and spirit of the event would suffer and not be profitable for vendors nor provide the type of experience that our guests have come to expect.
All vendors and other stakeholders will receive direct communication from the festival management in the coming days. We ask your patience and understanding as we proceed. Moving forward the board will explore various opportunities to celebrate the fall apple season and that safely enhance and promote Georgia’s apple capital.
We understand the far-reaching impact that this decision will have on the economic well being of our artists, our local businesses and community at large. The impact will also be felt by the two sponsoring agencies, the Ellijay Lions Club and the Gilmer Chamber. The Georgia Apple Festival is the largest fundraiser for both entities and the loss of revenue will be felt deeply by both in their effort to meet the charitable needs of the community supported by the Ellijay Lions Club and the needs of the Gilmer County business community supported by the Gilmer Chamber.
It is our deepest desire that the current health crisis facing our county, state, nation and world will be behind us and that you will make plans to join us October 2021 as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary Georgia Apple Festival.
Chamber Office Re-Opened – A Message from Gilmer Chamber Board of Directors
Community, Gilmer County Chamber May 6, 2020
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